Amusement device.



PATENTED JULY 11, 1905.

F. D. KNAPP. AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. 1a, 1904.

2 SHHETS-SHEET 1 inverz mw K la/ 6 W, vii flames. "Z9 7 No. 794,511.PATENTEDYJULY 11, 1905.

I F. D. KNAPP.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED 001. 18,1904.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

I II/II/IIIII/JII /IIIIIIIIIIII/lI/ll Patented July 11, 1905.

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PATENT FRANK D. KNAPP, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOFRANK J. KNAPP, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 794,511, dated July 11,1905. Application filed October 18, 1904- Serial No. 228,958.

To all whom (It may concern:

Be it known that 1, FRANK D. KNAPP, a citizen of the United States,residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Amusement Devices, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of amusement devices comprisingpassenger-cars which have the capacity of rocking, swaying, or turningthe passengers for their entertainment and exhilaration.

The object of this invention is the production of an amusement device ofthis character which is effective in amusing those using the same, whichis perfectly safe, and which is comparatively simple and durable inconstruction.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is avertical longitudinal section showing one car embodying the features ofmy improved amusement device. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectionalelevation,

. on an enlarged scale, of the locking mechanism for holding thepassenge r-support against turning. Fig. 3 is a detached sectional viewof one of the axles of the carriage and the wheels applied thereto. Fig.4 is a detached sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of one of thetumbling-wheels. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the stationary cam orabutment and the actuating-wheel and tappet cooperating therewith. Fig.6 is a bottom plan view of the carriage and the parts mounted thereon.Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section of the same, taken in line 7 7,Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the locking mechanism.Fig. 9 is a fragmentary bottom view, partly in section, showing thesocket of the locking device whereby the passenger-support is heldagainst horizontal rotation. Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken in line10 10, Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing amodification of my amusement device.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views.

In its general organization the amusement device is constructed in theform of a car which comprises a suitable carriage, a vertically-rockingsupport mounted on the carriage, and a horizontally-turning body mountedon said support and having seating capacity for the passengers which areto be entertained by this "amusement device.

The carriage may be constructed in any suitable way, that shown in thedrawings consisting of a main frame A, axles a a, journaled transverselyat the front and rear ends of said frame, and running-wheels a oarranged at opposite ends of the axles. These wheels preferably run onrails B and are provided with flanges I) on their inner sides forconfining the same on the rails. These rails may be arranged in anydesired manner, but preferably in the form of an endless or circulartrack or railway, and the wheels on one side of the carriage are rigidlysecured to the corresponding ends of the axles, while the wheels on theopposite side of the carriage are loosely mounted on the respective endsof the axles by ball-bearings or otherwise. By this means the axles arerotated by the wheels on one side of the carriage, while the wheels onthe opposite side of the carriage are free to rotate at a differentspeed, thereby preventing dragging or sliding of some of the wheels ofthe carriage in running over the circular track.

The vertical rocking frame consists, essentially, of two longitudinalside bars 0 C and a horizontal cross-piece or table 0, connecting theside bars. This rocking frame receives its motion by means of rotarytumbling-wheels D D, which are mounted on the front and rear axles ofthe carriage, respectively, and which engage at their periphery with theunder sides of said side bars. Each of these Wheels is preferably ofelliptical form and secured eccentrically to one of the axles, the twotumbling-wheels of each axle being secured in the same position thereon.The tumblingwheels of one axle have their major axis arranged at rightangles, or substantially so, to that of the tumbling-wheels of the otheraxle,

these wheels being retained in this position by means of positivegearing between the two axles of the carriage. The preferred gearlng forthis purpose, as shown in the drawings, consists of a chain belt E,passing l material, and said cushion is surrounded with aroundsprocket-wheels e 6, arranged on the front and rear axles of thecarriage, respectively. As the carriage moves forwardly the rockingframe is raised and lowered alternately at opposite ends by reason ofthe rotation of the tumbling-wheels engaging with the under sidesthereof and the arrangement of one pair of tumbling-wheels at rightangles to the other pair. By constructing the tumbling-wheels in theform of an ellipse and mounting the same eccentricaliy on the axles eachof the wheels during one complete rotation raises the rocking framevarying heights, thereby producing an irregularity in the verticalmotion of the seats, which is not only exhilarating, but also highlypleasing to the passengers. In order to further heighten the interestand the pleasure derived from this device, the side bars of the rockingframe are adapted to slide lengthwise in opposite directions on thetumbling-wheels as the rocking frame is alternately inclined in onedirection or the other. This longitudinal sliding movement is limited bymeans of stops 0 0 which are preferably formed by bending the rearportions of the side bars downwardly and toward each other in a curve.As the rocking frame is lowered at its front end and raised at its rearend, the same slides forwardly on the tumbling-wheels until the rearstops 0 of the side bars engage with the rear tumblingwheels. As thefront end of the rocking frame is raised and the rear end lowered duringthe continued rotation of the tumbling-wheels, this frame slidesrearwardly on the wheels until the front stops 0 engage with the fronttumblingwheels. By curving the stops in the manner described the forwardand backward sliding movement of the rocking frame on thetumbling-wheels is not arrested suddenly, but gradually, therebyavoiding any sudden shock to the passengers of the car and also givingthe same a neat appearance.

Instead of making the tumbling-wheels of elliptical form and mountingthe same eccentrically on their axles, as shown in Fig. 1, wheels D D,of circular form and mounted eccentrically on their axles, may beemployed, as shown in Fig. 11. The construction shown in Fig. l is,however, preferred, as it permits of obtaining a greater variety in thevertical motion of the rocking frame.

For the purpose of confining the rocking frame on the tumbling-wheelsagainst lateral displacement each of the wheels is provided on itsperiphery with two circumferential flanges d d, forming an annulargroove or channel between the same, which receives a side bar of therocking frame, as shown in Fig. 4:. In order to avoid any noise during.the engagement of the side bars and their stops with thetumbling-wheels, each of the latter is provided in the bottom of itsgroove with a cushion or filling 7 0f fiber or similar a facing F ofmalleable iron or similar durable material, which operatively engagesthe bear ing edge of the side bar. By this means the noise which wouldotherwise be produced by engagement of the side-bar stops with thetumbling-wheels at the end of the sliding motion is deadened. Each ofthe tumblingwheels is preferably constructed in two sections d cl, whichare rigidly connected by bolts (Z2 or otherwise and have the flanges dat their outer edges so arranged as to form the circumferential groovewhich receives the cushion-filling and bearing-face.

The body of the car is supported upon the rocking frame by means of anintermediate platform G. This platform is pivoted on the cross-piece ofthe rocking frame by means of a vertical shaft 9, and the weight thereofand the parts mounted thereon are supported by means of a ball-bearing gof any suitable construction, which is interposed between the platformand the rocking frame.

The body H of the car is provided with seats h for the passengers and ispreferably rotated at intervals during the forward movement of thecarriage, so as to add to the interest and excitement of the apparatus.This rotation of the body is preferably effected automatically bymechanism which is constructed as follows: I represents a stationaryabutment or cam arranged between the rails and having I an inclinedfront end 2 a horizontal top t, and an abrupt rear end 2, as shown inFig. 1. J is a frictional actuating-wheel mounted on the carriage andadapted to be rotated by enbody-supporting platform by means of a lowergear-wheel 71:, secured to the axle of the actuating-wheel and meshingwith an upper gearwheel k, pivoted on the presser frame, a lower bevelgear-wheel Z, journaled on the cross-piece of the rocking frame andmeshing with a similar bevel-wheel Z on the lower end of theplatform-shaft, and a flexible shaft L, connecting the upper gear-wheel7c and the lower bevel gear-wheel Z. As the car moves forwardly itsactuating-wheel rides up-the inclined front end of the abutment and isturned by engagement with the horizontal top thereof, and the platformand the body carrying the passengers is turned horizontally by means ofthe intermediate driving mechanism conrear end of the abutment, therotation of the car-body ceases. The extent of the horizontalbearing-surface of the abutment J is such thatthe actuating-wheel isrotated sufliciently thereby to turn the car-body once around.

In order to hold the car-body properly in a forwardly facing position onthe rocking frame between one horizontal turning movement and anotherand also to release the body at the proper time to permit of suchhorizontal rotation, an automatic locking deviceis provided, which ispreferably constructed as follows: M represents a vertically-movablelocking-bolt which is guided in the cross-piece of the rocking frame andadapted to engage at its upper end with a socket N in the under side ofthe body-supporting platform. This socket is preferably formed in twowalls or sections 72/ a, which are laterally movable toward and fromeach other and guided in a casingot, secured to the platform. Thesesocketwalls are yieldingly held against each other by means of springs0, each of which is arranged between the back of one wall and'theadjacent part of the casing. The socket-walls are prevented from movingforwardly past the center of the socket by means ofstops 0', arranged inthe casing in position to be *engaged by the front ends of thewall-sections, as shown in Fig. 9. The under side of the casing isprovided with a slot 0 through which the locking-bolt passes in enteringthe socket. P represents a vertically-movable tappet or rod which isarranged to engage with the inclined front end of the cam or abutmentand to be raised thereby and then drop ofi' from the abrupt rear end ofthe cam, thus furnishing the required movement for actuating thelocking-bolt. This tappet is guided on the carriage-frame and isnormally depressed by a spring p, so that its lower end is arrangedbelow the plane of the horizontal top of the abutment J and in aposition to be engaged by the inclined front end thereof. The upper endof the tappet-rod is connected with one arm of the rock-lever Q, whichis pivoted on a bracket q, rising from the carriage-frame. Theother armof this rock-lever is slidingly connected with a crank or eccentric pinon a gear-wheel q, pivoted on said bracket. R represents a crank-diskjournaled on the under side of the rocking-frame cross-piece and havingits crank loosely connected with the lower end of the locking-bolt, asshown in Figs. 1 and 10. r represents a flexible shaft which isconnected at one end with the hub of the crank-disk R, while itsopposite end is connected with a pinion 7, which is mounted on thebracket g and meshes with the gear-wheel As the tappet-rod is raised byriding over the abutment it turns the rock-lever Q, which latter in turnrotates the gear-wheel g. The motion of this gearwheel is transmitted bythe pinion r, flexible shaft 9', and crank-disk R to the locking-bolt inthe proper direction for withdrawing the same from the socket of theplatform. This withdrawal of the locking-bolt is so timed that it occursjust in advance of the beginning of the horizontal rotation of theplatform with the body and is again permitted to rise for engaging thesocket just before the platform completes its rotation. The return orlooking movement of the bolt is effected by means of the weight of thetappet aided by the spring p, which causes the tappet to be depressedthe instant the same clears the abrupt rear end of the stationaryabutment. As the locking-bolt enters the socket, as shown in Fig. 10,the momentum of the rotating bodysupporting platform causes thesocket-section on the trailing side of the socket to be pushedbackwardly against its spring, thereby com pressing the latter. hen thespring recovers itself and again pushes this socket-section forwardly,the platform is moved slightly in the opposite direction, causing thesocket-section on the opposite side of the locking-bolt to be pushedbackward slightly and effect a compression of its spring, after whichboth sections of the socket are gradually returned to their centralposition with the locking-bolt between them, and the platform is heldagainst displacement with the seats of the car-body facing forwardly; Byemploying a yielding socket on the platform for the reception of thelocking-bolt the rotation of the body is brought to a standstill withoutany unpleasant jar, which otherwise would be the case if this rotationwere arrested suddenly and positively. To still further guard againstany perceptible jar of the passengers seated in the body as the rockingframe is stopped at either end of its longitudinal movement on thetumblingwheels, the body is guided upon the platform so as to be capableof longitudinal .movement thereon, and cushioning means are andcushion-springs 0, surrounding the guide- A rods between the guide-lugsof the body and the supporting-lugs of the platform. As the body slideson the rods in either direction, upon tilting the rocking frame thesprings at that particular end of the body are compressed and bring thebody gradually to a standstill, thereby avoiding any unpleasant effectupon the passengers.

When installing my improved amusement device, the rails upon which thecarriage runs are preferably elevated by means of a trestle w or othersupport, so as to furnish the necessary clear space below the carriagein which the rocking frame and the tumbling-wheels may freely move upand down while in operation.

In practice a number of cars or vehicles, such as the one shown in thedrawings, will be connected up to form a circular train somewhatresembling the Well-known merry-goround, and this train may be driven byany suitable meansfor instance, by a motor mounted on one or more of thecars.

In order to add to the interest of the device, the ahutments J may bearranged between the rails at varying distances apart, so that thecar-body will be turned horizontally at irregular intervals. Thepassengers by this means will therefore be unable to calculate when suchturning of the body will be effected and will therefore at times besurprised, thereby increasing the amusement effect of the device.

Inasmuch as some persons may object to the turning movement of thecar-body on account of physical disability, part of the cars in a trainmay have the body simply rocked vertically, others may be operated so asto obtain the combined sliding and rocking effect, while the remainderof the cars may be constructed so as to also turn the body horizontally,and thus utilize all of the features of the amusement device, as shownand described.

I claim as my invention 1. In a device of the character described, thecombination of a carriage, a passengersupport and means mounted on saidcarriage and operating to raise and lower said carriage and also movethe same forward and backward relatively to the carriage, substantiallyas set forth.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, alternately-operating elevating means arranged at oppositeends of the carriage, and a passenger-support mounted on said elevatingmeans and capable of lengthwise movement thereon, substantially as setforth.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, rotary tumbling-wheels of irregular form circumferentiallymounted on the front and rear of said carriage, and a passenger-supportresting on said wheels and capable of sliding lengthwise thereon,substantially as set forth.

I. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, elliptical tumbling-wheels mounted on the front and rear ofsaid carriage, and a passenger-support resting on said wheels,substantially as set forth.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, elliptical tumbling-wheels mounted on the front and rear ofsaid carriage,means for rotating said Wheels and maintaining the majoraxis of the front wheels at right angles to that of the rear Wheels, anda passenger-support resting on said wheels, substantially as set forth.

6. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a carriage, elliptical tumbling-wheels mountedeccentrically onthe front and rear of the carriage, and apassenger-support resting on said wheels, substantially as set forth. a

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, elliptical tumbling wheels mounted eccentrically on the frontand rear of the carriage, means for rotating said wheels and maintainingthe major axis of the front wheels at right angles to that of the rearwheels, and a passenger-support resting on said wheels, substantially asset forth.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a carriageconsisting of a frame, front and rear axles journaled on said frame,running-wheels mounted on said axles, sprocket wheels mounted on saidaxles, a chain belt passing around said sprocketwheels, tumbling-Wheelsmounted on the axles, and a passenger-support resting on saidtumbling-wheels, substantially as set forth.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a carriageconsisting of a frame, front and rear axles journaledon said frame,running-wheels mounted on opposite ends of said axles, the wheels atcorresponding ends of the axles being fast thereon while the wheels atthe opposite ends of the axles are loose thereon, gearing connectingsaid axles and causing the same to turn in unison, tumbling-wheelsmounted on said axles, and a passenger-support resting on saidtumblingwheels, substantially as set forth.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, rotary tumbling-wheels mounted on the front and rear of saidcarriage, and a passenger-support comprising longitudinal bars restingon said Wheels and a seat-body mounted on said bars, substantially asset forth.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, rotary elliptical tumbling-wheels mounted on the front andrear of said carriage, means for rotating said wheels in unison andmaintaining the major axis of the front wheelsat right angles to that ofthe rear wheels, and a passenger-support comprising longitudinal barsresting on said wheels and a seat-body mounted on said bars,substantially as set forth.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, rotary elliptical tumbling-wheels mounted on the front andrear of said carriage, means for rotating said Wheels in unison andmaintaining the major axis of the front wheels at right angles to thatof the rear wheels, and a passenger-support comprising longitudinalbars-resting on said wheels and capable of sliding lengthwise thereon,stops for limiting said lengthwise movement of the bars, and a seat-bodymounted on said bars, substantially as set forth.

. 13. In a device ofthe character described,

the combination of a carriage, tumblingwheels mounted on the front andrear of said carriage and having flanges on their periphery, and apassenger-support comprising bars resting on said wheels and a seat-bodymounted on said bars, substantially as set forth.

14. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a carriage, tumblingwheels mounted on the front andrear of said carriage and each wheel having a pair of flanges on itsperiphery forming a circumferential groove or channel between itsflanges, and a passenger-Sn pport comprising bars sliding lengthwise onthe bottom of said grooves of the wheels and having downwardly-bent endsforming stops which are adapted-to engage with the outer side of saidwheels and limit the longitudinal movement thereof, and a seat-bod ymounted on the bars, substantially as set forth.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, tumblingwheels mounted on the front and rear of said carriageand each wheel composed of two circumferentially-flanged sections whichare con nected to form a groove between them, a cushion medium arrangedin said groove'and a facing applied to said cushion, and apassengersupport comprising bars which are arranged between the flangesof the wheels and rest on the facings thereof, and a seat-body mountedon the bars, substantially as set forth.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, a passengersupport mounted on said carriage and capable oflongitudinal movementthereon, and means for periodically turning saidpassenger-support horizontally on the carriage, substantially as setforth.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, a passengersupport mounted on said carriage, means for rockingsaid passenger-support vertically and means for rotating saidpassengersupport horizontally, substantially as set forth.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, tumblingwheels mounted to turn vertically on the front andrear of said carriage, a rocking support resting on saidtumbling-wheels, and a seatbody pivoted on said support to turnhorizontally, substantially as set forth.

19. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, tumblingwheels mounted to turn vertically on the front andrear of said carriage, a rocking support resting on saidtumbling-wheels, a seat-body pivoted on said support to turnhorizontally,

a stationary abutment, and an actuating mech-- and rear of saidcarriage, 'a rocking support resting on said tumbling-wheels, aseat-body pivoted on said support to turn horizontally, a stationaryabutment arranged adjacent to the path of the carriage, and mechanismfor turning said seat-body comprising a friction actuating-wheel adaptedto engage with said abutment and intermediate mechanism for transmittingthe movement of the friction- Wheel to the seat-body, substantiallyasset forth. v

21. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, tumblingwheels mounted to turn vertically on the front andrear of said carriage, a rocking support resting on saidtumbling-wheels, a seat-body pivoted on said support to turnhorizontally, a stationary abutment arranged adjacent to the path of thecarriage, and mechanism for turning said seat-body comprising anactuating-wheel adapted to engage with said abutment and a flexibletransmitting mechanism connecting said actuating-wheel with tbeseatbody,substantially as set forth.

22. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, tumblingwheels mounted to turn vertically on the front andrear of said carriage, a rocking support resting on saidtumbling-wheels, a seat-body pivoted on said support to turnhorizontally, a stationary abutment arranged ad acent to the path of thecarriage, and mechanism for turning said seat-body comprising afriction-wheel adapted to engage said'abutment so as to be turnedthereby and provided with a gearwheel, and a flexible shaft provided atone end with a gear-wheel which meshes with the gear-wheel of thefriction-wheel and atits op posite end with a bevel gear-wheel whichmeshes with a bevel gear-wheel on the pivot of the seat-body,substantially as set forth.

23. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, tumblingwheels mounted to turn vertically on the front andrear of said carriage, a rocking support resting on saidtumbling-wheels, a seat-body pivoted on said support to turnhorizontally, a stationary abutment arranged adjacent to the path of thecarriage, and mechanism for turning said seat-bod y comprising afriction-wheel adapted to engage said abutment so as to be turnedthereby and provided with a gearwheel, a flexible shaft provided at oneend with a gear-Wheel which meshes with the gearwheel of thefriction-Wheel and at its opposite end with a bevel gear-wheel whichmeshes with a bevel gear-Wheel on the pivot of the seat-body, a movableframe mounted on the carriage and supporting the friction-wheel andconnecting parts, and springs for holding said frame yieldingly in adepressed position, substantially as set forth.

24. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, a passengersupport mounted on the carriage, means for rockingthe passenger support vertically, means for turning thepassenger-support horizontally, and retractable means for holding saidpassenger support against horizontal movement, substantially as setforth.

25. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, tumblingwheels mounted on the front and rear of said carriage,a vertically-rocking support resting on said tumbling-wheels, aseat-support pivoted on said rocking support to turn horizontally, and alocking-bolt mounted on said rocking support and adapted to engage witha socket in the seat-support, substantially as set forth.

26. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, tumblingwheels mounted on the front and rear of said carriage,a vertically-rocking support resting on said tumbling-wheels, aseat-support pivoted on said rocking support to turn horizontally, asocket arranged on the seat-support and having a yielding side wall, anda locking-bolt arranged on the rocking support and adapted to engagewith said socket, substantially as set forth.

27. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, tumbling-wheels mounted on the front and rear of saidcarriage, a vertically-rocking support resting on said tumbling-wheels,a seat-support pivoted on said rocking support to turn horizontally, asocket arranged on the seat-support and having its opposite wallmovable, springs for yieldingly moving said walls toward each other, anda locking-bolt mounted on the rocking support and adapted to engage withsaid socket, substantially as set forth.

28. In a. device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, tumbling-wheels mounted on the front and rear of saidcarriage, a vertically-rocking support resting on said tumbling-wheels,a seat-support pivoted on said rocking support to turn horizontally, alocking-bolt mounted on the rocking support and adapted to engage with asocket on the seat-support, astationary abutment,- and aretractingmechanism for said bolt adapted to engage with said abutment and to beoperated thereby, substantially as set forth.

29. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage,tumbling-wheels mounted on the front and rear of said carriage,a vertically-rocking support resting on said tumbling-wheels, aseat-support pivoted on said rocking support to turn horizontally, alocking-bolt mounted on the rocking support and adapted to engage with asocket on the seat-support, a stationary abutment, and a retractingmechanism for said bolt comprising a tappet adapted to engage saidabutment, a gear-wheel mounted on the carriage, a rocklever connectingsaid tappet with said gearwheel, a crank-disk connected with said bolt,and a flexible shaft connected at one end with said crank-disk andprovided at its opposite end with a gear-pinion which meshes with saidgear-wheel, substantially as set forth.

30. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, a verticallyrocking support mounted on the carriage, aseat-support capable of longitudinal movement relatively to said rockingsupport, and a buffer device for cushioning the longitudinal movement ofsaid seat-support, substantially as set forth.

31. In a device of the character described, the combination of acarriage, a verticallyrocking support mounted on the carriage, aplatform pivoted on said rocking support to turn horizontally,longitudinal guide rods mounted on said platform, a seat-body mounted onsaid rods, and springs mounted on said rods and operating to yieldinglyresist longitudinal movement of the seat-body on said rods,substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 15th day of October, 1904.

FRANK D. KNAPP.

Witnesses:

THEO. L. Porr, FRANK J. KNAPP.

